Arcus lipoides corneae

Analbuminemia. Only 20 or so famflies with inherited analbuminemia have been reported, attesting to the protein s physiological importance. Although affected individuals have plasma albumin levels less than 0.5 g/L (about 1% of normal), they were originally reported to be clinically normal except for mild edema (usually none before the second to fourth decades of Life) and altered lipid metabolism. In 1996, the presence of lipodystrophy in women and osteoporosis, hypotension, arcus lipoides corneae, and xanthomatosis in some patients was first reported. In one patient, ankle edema disappeared rapidly with intravenous albumin infusion however, she developed signs of hypocalcemia during infusions. The infusions did not affect her lipodystrophy. In spite of the lipid abnormalities in affected individuals, there is no increased risk for atherosclerosis. The plasma half-life of infused albumin in affected individuals is 50 to 60 days or approximately three times normal. 

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